St. Ambrose Represents at Diocese of NC Annual Convention

St. Ambrose Represents at Diocese of NC Annual Convention, November 2024

Like other Episcopal Dioceses, the Diocese of North Carolina hosts a significant business meeting annually called Diocesan Convention. It’s a time to do the required annual business of the church, a time to evaluate and set church policy, and it’s also a time for worship together, for celebration and family reunion. 

The 209th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina took place November 22-23 in Winston-Salem at the Benton Convention Center, with over 600 delegates and numerous diocesan staff and volunteers in attendance.  Based on the number of reported adult parishioners in good standing, Saint Ambrose Episcopal Church was granted four lay representatives to the Convention in addition to our priest.  Our parish delegates were Fr. Jemonde, Dr. Julius Nimmons, Phyllis Gray, and Jessie Maeck.  Our 4th lay delegate was not in attendance.

Also participating in Convention from St. Ambrose were Al Ragland, in his capacity as a member of the Diocesan Standing Committee, Fr. Taylor, who presented a gift to Bp. And Mrs. Curry, Cassandra Deck-Brown, who addressed convention as a member of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, Hope Anderson, who was presented to Convention as assigned Seminarian for St. Ambrose, and our own Director of Music, Christian Foushee-Green and Brandon Mitchell, Percussionist, who led the entire convention in a rousing Evening Prayer Service at the end of our work day on Friday. 

In addition to the usual required business, this year’s Convention had two primary foci:

1. Reports on the current Diocese-wide focus on supporting Congregational Vitality
2. Celebrating and welcoming home our beloved Bishop and Mrs. Michael Curry following his 9 years of dedicated service as Presiding Bishop.

The following summary is a brief overview of Convention from the perspective of your delegates.  We welcome your comments and questions at any time! An official summary will be available soon from the Diocese.  

NOTABLE EVENTS:

Opening Ceremony: 

1. Procession of church banners and Holy Communion. Phyllis Gray was our St. Ambrose banner processor.
2. Emphasis on Congregational Vitality in sermons by Bishops Jennifer Rodman-Davidson and Sam Rodman. Semons https://www.episdionc.org/annual-convention/

Recognition and Commissioning: 

1. New Johnson Service Corps members, lay preachers, and deacons, including our own Hope Anderson.
2. The announcement of the Mission Proceeds Funding for 24 churches, including $250,000 for Saint Ambrose.  This direct disbursement will be used to renovate our kitchen and sacristy areas.

Resolutions: 

1. Discussions on racial justice, environmental ministries, and global missions.
2. Resolutions included broadening legislative hearings and fostering collaboration within the Diocese on international activities.

Sermons: 

1. Bishop Curry emphasized love, justice, and reconciliation as foundations for community vitality. Sermons: www.episdionc.org/annual-convention/
2. Other speakers included St. Ambrose parishioner Cassandra Deck-Brown speaking eloquently for the importance of Diocesan work on gun violence prevention, and speakers reporting on environmental care, racial reconciliation, and global partnerships.

Youth Council:

• Efforts to rebuild trust following a 2024 incident were highlighted.

Financial Updates: 

1. Approval of a $5 million racial reconciliation initiative.
2. Adoption of a balanced 2025 budget and reduction of Fair Share contributions for 2026.

Lilly Endowment Grant:

• $1.25 million received to enhance children’s worship and participation.

Historical Preservation: 

1. Efforts to restore All Saints Episcopal Church in Warrenton were detailed.

Celebration of Bishop and Mrs. Curry

1. Screening of Bp. Curry’s film “A Case for Love” followed by a discussion with Bishop Curry and Brian Ide, the movie’s producer/director
2. Speech and reflection by Bp. Curry, sometimes poignant, sometimes hilarious, on his journey as Presiding Bishop. 
3. Presentation of gifts and speeches, all inventive, many amusing, by a variety of persons and groups, including Fr. Taylor
4. Convention-wide reception

Reflections and Take-Aways for St. Ambrose: 

• As part of the mission and reconciliation grants resulting from the sale of the diocese’s long-time office building on Moore Square, St. Ambrose will shortly receive $250,000 to renovate our kitchen/sacristy area!
• 2025 Budget considerations for us: Our Fair Share assessment will be slightly reduced, and Fr. Taylor will receive a 2.5% COLA salary increase.
• St. Ambrose might consider taking advantage of the upcoming Lilly Endowment grants in support of the five-year initiative – “Nurturing Children Through Worship and Prayer” program. How might we like to deepen the church experience of our children?
• St. Ambrose has a historical tie to All Saints Episcopal Church Warrenton: we might consider making an offering to assist with the church restoration, either by a financial offering or by sending volunteers.
• How might St. Ambrose participate further in the newly-funded five-year Racial Reconciliation initiative?
• St. Ambrose might wish to join in the next Diocesan trip or pilgrimage to visit our partner Diocese of Costa Rica
• Practices modeled at Convention that St. Ambrose might try out: joyous banner procession, an excellent all-parish short activity promoting Congregational Vitality, adopting a yearly “theme” for the parish.

Intrigued by this report? We invite your comments and questions! — Julius N., Phyllis G., Jessie M.